Innovation

The «Clean Country» project is a technology and mobile infrastructure developed and implemented by Rosatom State Corporation enterprises (the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Federal Environmental Operator and Rusatom Greenway Joint-Stock Company) since 2011 for the elimination of objects of accumulated environmental damage - the gradual and long-term harm to ecosystems and natural resources caused by persistent human activities and natural processes.

Daria Komissarova, Head of the Project Office for the Implementation of Development Programs, shares information about how this project was born: “A total of over 300 people participated in the creation of the innovation. At first, it was a project team of about 20 people, created on the instructions of the General Director of the State Corporation Rosatom, it included both employees of the corporation and people from outside. They formed the basis of the project, after which the Federal Ecological Operator and Greenway were involved. Together with the employees of these divisions of Rosatom, the total number of project participants was more than 300 people”.

The innovation lies in the developed technology and mobile infrastructure, which consist of four components:

· Creation of anti-filtration, anti-migration curtains and screens to prevent the impact of the object on the environment during its elimination;

· excavation and neutralization of contaminated soils;

· water purification;

· collection and disposal of biogas.

Thus, this project actively contributes to three key SDGs: 

- Clean Water and Sanitation (goal 6) by effectively purifying reservoirs and protecting vital groundwater resources; 

- Affordable and Clean Energy (goal 7) by addressing pollution from traditional energy production while the Rosatom itself advances the development of sustainable green energy solutions; 

-And Decent Work and Economic (goal 8) Growth by creating numerous employment opportunities through its labor-intensive initiatives, hence driving economic progress.

Inspiration

Darya told us that "There was a problem of a large number of problematic objects poisoning the lives of many people in entire cities or even regions around them. It took 15-20 years to eliminate such objects, since each project was developed and implemented separately. The quality of implementation depended on the work of contractors, and there was corruption at the local level." Therefore, an important decision was made to collect all Russian and international experience in eliminating objects of accumulated environmental damage, develop a unified technology and transfer the liquidation of all objects in Russia to the State Corporation Rosatom. This allows the elimination of most objects within 5 years. 

In this regard, a clear goal was set: "To develop a solution for the rapid and effective liquidation of accumulated environmental damage." - Darya noted. And this goal correlates with the three SDGs mentioned earlier: ensures access to Clean Water and Sanitation by safeguarding groundwater and purifying water in reservoirs; promotes Affordable and Clean Energy by addressing environmental damage from conventional energy production and supporting the growth of sustainable energy solutions; boosts Decent Work and Economic Growth by generating a substantial number of jobs, fostering economic development through its resource-intensive operations.

Overall impact

Firstly, the company's innovation has an impact on the business, which corresponds to the contribution to the achievement of SDG 8. Rosatom State Corporation has opened a new line of business and has become the main and only contractor in Russia for the disposal of accumulated environmental damage. At the moment, the queue for disposal of objects is formed for 15 years, there are only 8 objects in it throughout Russia. 

Secondly, the company's innovation has an impact on society, which also corresponds to the contribution to the achievement of SDG 8. The innovation solved the problem of many objects of accumulated environmental damage that poisoned the life of entire cities - landfills, toxic factories. People suffered from the impact of these objects for years. Safe disposal of objects allowed people to experience life in their home cities in a new way.

And finally, the company's innovation has an impact on the environment, which corresponds to the contribution to the achievement of SDG 6 and SDG 7. Innovation has freed the environment from the abscesses that have been poisoning it for decades, and has made it possible to scale up this activity, eliminating ecologically hazardous objects very quickly and safely. Daria declares: “For example, if we take the liquidation of the Krasny Bor landfill, which operated from 1969 to 2014, it was a landfill of 67.4 hectares with about 1.7 million tons of waste, including waste in five open storage maps that pose a particular danger to the environment”.

The cleanup of the Krasny Bor landfill and the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill (BPPM) addresses critical environmental challenges in Russia, with both projects yielding significant short- and long-term benefits.

At Krasny Bor, 1.7 million tons of hazardous waste have been contained using anti-seepage barriers and purification systems. In the short term, these measures reduce pollution risks and improve safety for nearby communities. Long-term effects include sustainable land rehabilitation, groundwater protection, and reduced health hazards.

At BPPM, over 6 million cubic meters of waste threatened Lake Baikal. Immediate actions purified 110,000 cubic meters of contaminated water, preventing pollution of this UNESCO site. Long-term benefits include preserved water quality, reduced waste risks, and a foundation for continued ecological restoration.

Business benefit

Rosatom State Corporation’s innovation in environmental remediation has significantly impacted its business, allowing the company to enter a new and specialized market. By becoming the primary and exclusive contractor for the disposal of accumulated environmental damage in Russia, Rosatom has established itself as a key player in this critical sector.

This new line of business has brought several benefits to Rosatom. It has opened up an untapped market where the company now holds a monopoly, thanks to the unique technologies it offers. This monopoly status not only secures a steady flow of projects but also attracts investment from regional and municipal governments eager to tackle environmental issues. These investments contribute to Rosatom's growth and stability in the market.

Moreover, the expansion of this service has created numerous jobs in various fields such as environmental management, engineering and project management, ensuring that Rosatom is rapidly moving towards achieving SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). By hiring qualified professionals, Rosatom has strengthened its human resources and contributed to local employment, especially in regions heavily affected by environmental damage.

Looking ahead, Rosatom plans to expand internationally, starting with the CIS countries and eventually entering BRICS nations. This strategic move will allow the company to address similar environmental challenges in other countries, exporting its innovative solutions and establishing a global presence. Rosatom’s entry into the international market further solidifies its position as a leader in environmental remediation, ensuring continued growth and success both domestically and globally.

Social and environmental benefit

It is important to describe in more detail specific examples of the project that have benefited society and the environment.

First of all, Krasny Bor Landfill Liquidation (Leningrad Region). Treated waste met fishery water discharge standards, and residual material was used for landfill reclamation. The site was capped with a protective screen, restored with fertile soil, and equipped with drainage and stormwater purification systems. Work began in 2019 and will conclude in 2024, mitigating pollution risks and enabling long-term ecological recovery.

Another example is th Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill (BPPM) Cleanup (Irkutsk Region). Over 6 million cubic meters of waste, including sludge, ash, black liquor, and construction debris, have accumulated at BPPM, threatening Lake Baikal. Emergency actions in 2021-2022 purified 110,000 cubic meters of oversludge water, preventing immediate contamination. Current efforts focus on using multi-stage filtration with reverse osmosis to clean black liquor and oversludge waters, achieving water purity comparable to distilled levels. Future plans include covering landfill ponds with degassing systems and continuing research with the Russian Academy of Sciences to optimize solutions. These efforts safeguard Lake Baikal, reduce waste risks, and lay the foundation for long-term environmental rehabilitation.

The cleanup of the Krasny Bor landfill and the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill has brought significant benefits to society. By reducing toxic contamination, these projects have improved public health and provided safer water resources for nearby communities. These projects help the company achieve SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). Protecting Lake Baikal, a vital source of fresh water, protects biodiversity and preserves natural resources for future generations. In addition, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) is achieved in parallel, as the rehabilitation of these sites opens up potential for economic opportunities in agriculture, tourism and green industry. The innovative technologies used also create a model for future environmental restoration, promoting confidence in sustainable development and strengthening society’s resilience to pollution.

Interview

Daria Komissarova, Head of the Project Office for the Implementation of Development Programs